Be Kind

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

I’m evaluating all that happened last year. Taking time in the post-holiday lull allows for more quiet reflection and perspective.

In summing up this past year, I’m calling it the year of hidden blessings. Just like many of you, things just kept coming. Our dog was run over but she survived and didn’t even need surgery! Appliances, 3 to be exact, went on the fritz and they are not cheap to replace. My oldest daughter moved out to college and then was in a minor car accident. My middle daughter had a knee tear and somehow escaped surgery after months of physical therapy. My third daughter stepped on a piercing needle and ended up in urgent care. Again, things could have been worse and I felt relief, “spared “somehow.

I could go on about all the other life scenarios we lived through this year, but you get the idea. In any case, each circumstance began with heartache and a “what do we do now” cry. Each ended with God making his provision known in funny, little ways. God has such a sense of humor! I reflect on each of those minor catastrophes and see that God was at work. He truly does work for the good of all his people.

After this year, I’m convinced that God uses every situation good or bad, to bless us or others through us. We need to open our eyes and our hearts. Most people are going through their own minor disasters. Be kind, be patient and be there for others. Be the light in a dark and hurting world.